21st Century. A rousing fanfare for moderately advanced Brass Quintet by Canadian composer/trombonist, Nicholas Francis. This work uses a well known Quebeciose Folk Song. - the publisher This is music for music's sake, a small fanfare full of the joy and pleasure that playing in a brass quintet brings with it. It derives its thematic material from the well-known Quebec folk song V'la l'bon vent, a tune which is sung in a variety of forms in virtually every region of the province. At the time ...

Romantic. A work for originally for harmonium and organ in Db Major by Belgium composer Cesar Franck, arranged in its original key for brass quintet by Ekkehard Carbow. This work has a stately, promenade feel with expressive dynamic changes. Intermediate technical demands, but the key signatures and endurance/range demands of the first trumpet require mature players. Trumpet parts in Bb or C. The following substitution parts are included: French horn in key of Eb and Bb; trombone in Bb treble...

Romantic. Originally composed for solo voice and accompaniment, and later rearranged by the composer for other forces. Less experienced ensembles might encounter some endurance issues as the marked tempo is Adagio and there are many sustained notes in accompanying parts. Though other technical demands are minimal, there are interpretive opportunities throughout which make this arrangement a good choice for a variety of levels. -pc/cb

20th Century. The title was inspired by the term from Star Trek where warp engines would bend time and space to propel the ship at incredible speeds. Exploring relationships between time and space in a musical sense, this work begins with motives and fragments free-floating in space. These gradually build in energy and motion until coming into phase with one another. After this cadence, a motor section expands and develops the previous free-floating motives over driving, repeated patterns. As the...

Late Renaissance/Early Baroque. Canadian Brass series. Late Renaissance-Early Baroque. Written by the Italian keyboard composer Girolamo Frescobaldi, Toccata will be familiar to many concert band musicians who may have played the popular transcription by Earl Slocum. Dramatic opening adagio, charming staccato melodies, sweeping runs in the piccolo trumpet. French horn often takes the melodic lead. Trumpet 1 plays Eb trumpet and Piccolo Bb trumpet. -pc

19th Century. American composer G. W. E. Friederich was an active composer and arranger in the mid-1800s. Movements entitled: Signal March; Jewel Waltz; Rainbow Schottische; ellen Bayne Quick-Step. Much of the melodic work is in the trumpet parts, but some short solos in French horn and trombone. Intermediate technical skills although the last movement may require triple tonguing depending on the tempo chosen. First trumpet is in Eb. Score & parts. -pc (score sample pages)
...

21th Century (2003). Spanish Dances (Parodie IX) was commissioned by the Louisville Brass and won First Prize in the 2003 International Trumpet Guild Composition Competition. Performed by the Louisville Brass, the world premiere took place at the ITG Conference at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth in May 2003. This work certainly is not "authentically Spanish", nor was it ever meant to be taken as such. But the three movements were inspired by traditional dances and structured in Classi...

21st Century (2009). "THE BIG TOP" , is a 12 minute work in 8 movements for Brass Quintet inspired by the excitement, thrill and expectation of the circus. Although Mr. Frith has never attended a circus personally, the magic of them was conveyed to him through television shows and films he watched as a boy. In 2009 he added to the first movement, "Circus Clowns", which was composed years before and arranged the entire suite for Brass Quintet.
...

Early 20th Century (1907). Czech composer Julius Fucik subtitled this march "Grande Marcia Italiana" as a tribute to Florence and the region of Tuscany. This transcription of the popular concert march for band is in Eb major and preserves the variety and charm of the original with its laid back tempo, variety of tuneful melodies, subito fortissimo outbursts from the low brass, and active parts for both lower and higher voices in the ensemble. Trombone substitute for French horn part is included....

Early 20th Century (1907). Czech composer Julius Fucik subtitled this march "Grande Marcia Italiana" as a tribute to Florence and the region of Tuscany. This transcription of the popular concert march for band is in F major and preserves the variety and charm of the original with its laid back tempo, variety of tuneful melodies, and active parts for both lower and higher voices in the ensemble. For moderately advanced quintets with goodendurance, though the trio section does provide a rest for ...

Renaissance. Late 16th, early 17th century Italian composer. Standard range for trumpet 1, occasionally moving above the staff. Not technically difficult, but certain rhythmic elements could provide a challenge to less experienced ensembles. All partsare active throughout the piece. cb/pc

Renaissance. No 12 from the series Symphoniae Sacrae of 1597. For 2 trumpets, horn (optional trumpet 3), trombone (optional horn) & trombone. Could also be performed by standard 211.01 quintet as well as 211.10. Published as "Canzona Duodecimi Toni", but the correct title is actually Canzona in Echo Duodecimi Toni. This is a quintet & organ version of a work originally for 10-parts in two five-part antiphonal choirs. In this arrangement, the brass quintet serves as the first choir, and the organ,...

Renaissance. Piccolo trumpet in A. Technical demands are for moderate, but stylistic challenges make this suitable for intermediate and advanced ensembles as well. Duration approximately 2:00 minutes. This edition by R.P. Block is in D major (concert key). -cb

Renaissance. Classic brass quartet piece that is commonly performed as a brass quintet (tuba doubles some of the trombone line at the octave). Set in the original key. Rhythmic values have been halved from that of the original (e.g. opening figure is 4 eighths instead of 4 quarters). -cdp

Renaissance. Classic brass quartet piece that is commonly performed as a brass quintet (tuba doubles some of the trombone line at the octave). Transposed down a whole step from the original to Bb from C. Rhythmic values have been halved from that of the original (e.g. opening figure is Q-EE instead H-QQ). Score & parts. -cdp

Renaissance. Classic brass quartet piece that is commonly performed as a brass quintet (tuba doubles some of the trombone line at the octave). ransposed down a second to Bb from the original C. Rhythmic values have been halved from that of the original (e.g. opening figure is Q-EE instead H-QQ). Score & parts. -cdp

Renaissance. Classic brass quartet piece that is commonly performed as a brass quintet (tuba doubles some of the trombone line at the octave). Transposed to Bb from the original C. Rhythmic values have been halved from that of the original (e.g. opening figure is Q-EE instead of H-QQ). -cdp

Renaissance. Canadian Brass series. Rhythmic values have been halved from the original and most other editions (e.g. opening figure is quarter 2-eighths instead of half 2-quarters). Transposed down a 4th to G from C.

Renaissance. The only five part canzona written by Gabrieli. As performed by the New York Brass Quintet. Transposed down a third to Fm from Am. Rhythmic values have been halved from the original but are very easy to read (e.g. H-QQ is now Q-EE). An optional organ part is provided. It does nothing more than double the brass throughout. -cdp

Renaissance. Gabrieli's only 5-part Canzona. Transposed down a major third from the original. Rhythmic values have been halved from the original (H QQ is now Q EE). Originally for five voices (or instruments) and organ, here transcribed for brass quintet& piano (or manual organ). -cdp

Renaissance. Also known as Canzona (Canzon, Canzone) per Sonare (Sonar, Sonari) Septimi Toni a8 No 2. Popular antiphonal 8-part brass work (opens with Sol-Sol-Sol-Fa-Re) here condensed for brass quintet. The ensemble is divided into two "choirs," with the tuba participating in both. Choir 1 is trumpet, horn, tuba; and choir 2 is trumpet, trombone, tuba. As recorded by the Harmonic Brass Quintet of Munich, Germany. Score & parts. In the seventh (Mixolydian) mode. NOTE: This is the *second* "Canzo...

Renaissance. Transcription for standard brass quintet of a madrigal originally for voices in five parts. Set a third higher from the original. Rhythmic values have been halved from the original (double whole = whole, etc). Score & parts. -cdp

Woodwind Instrumentation Codes

Following many of the titles in our Wind Ensemble catalog, you will see a set of numbers enclosed in square brackets, as in this example:

Description

Price

Rimsky-KorsakovQuintet in Bb [1011-1 w/piano]Item: 26746

$28.75

The bracketed numbers tell you the precise instrumentation of the ensemble. The first number stands for Flute, the second for Oboe, the third for Clarinet, the fourth for Bassoon, and the fifth (separated from the woodwinds by a dash) is for Horn. Any additional instruments (Piano in this example) are indicated by "w/" (meaning "with") or by using a plus sign.

Sometimes there are instruments in the ensemble other than those shown above. These are linked to their respective principal instruments with either a "d" if the same player doubles the instrument, or a "+" if an extra player is required. Whenever this occurs, we will separate the first four digits with commas for clarity. Thus a double reed quartet of 2 oboes, english horn and bassoon will look like this:

0,2+1,0,1-0

Note the "2+1" portion means "2 oboes plus english horn"

Titles with no bracketed numbers are assumed to use "Standard Instrumentation." The following is considered to be Standard Instrumentation:

Duo - Flute & Clarinet - or [1010-0]

Trio - Flute, Oboe & Clarinet - or [1110-0]

Quartet - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet & Bassoon - or [1111-0]

Quintet - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon & Horn - [or 1111-1]

Brass Instrumentation Codes

Following many of the titles in our Brass Ensemble catalog, you will see a set of five numbers enclosed in square brackets, as in this example:

Description

Price

CoplandFanfare for the Common Man [343.01 w/tympani]Item: 02158

$14.95

The bracketed numbers tell you how many of each instrument are in the ensemble. The first number stands for Trumpet, the second for Horn, the third for Trombone, the fourth (separated from the first three by a dot) for Euphonium and the fifth for Tuba. Any additional instruments (Tympani in this example) are indicated by a "w/" (meaning "with") or by using a plus sign.

Trumpet Horn Trombone . Euphonium Tuba

Thus, the Copland Fanfare shown above is for 3 Trumpets, 4 Horns, 3 Trombones, no Euphonium, 1 Tuba and Tympani. There is no separate number for Bass Trombone, but it can generally be assumed that if there are multiple Trombone parts, the lowest part can/should be performed on Bass Trombone.

Titles listed in our catalog without bracketed numbers are assumed to use "Standard Instrumentation." The following is considered to be Standard Instrumentation:

Brass Duo - Trumpet & Trombone, or [101.00]

Brass Trio - Trumpet, Horn & Trombone, or [111.00]

Brass Quartet - 2 Trumpets, Horn & Trombone, or [211.00]

Brass Quintet - 2 Trumpets, Horn, Trombone & Tuba, or [211.01]

Brass Sextet and greater - No Standard Instrumentaion

People often ask us about "PJBE" or "Philip Jones" instrumentation. This is a special instrumentation adopted and perfected by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. It consists of the forces 414.01, and often includes Percussion and/or Tympani. In addition, there are often doublings in the Trumpet section
- Piccolo and Flugelhorn being the most common. While this instrumentation has come to be common, it is still not "Standard" as many Brass Dectets use very different forces, most often with more Horns than PJBE.

String Instrumentation Codes

Following many of the titles in our String Ensemble catalog, you will see a set of four numbers enclosed in square brackets, as in this example:

Description

Price

AtwellVance's Dance [0220]Item: 32599

$8.95

These numbers tell you how many of each instrument are in the ensemble. The first number stands for Violin, the second for Viola, the third for Cello, and the fourth for Double Bass. Thus, this string quartet is for 2 Violas and 2 Cellos, rather than the usual 2110.
Titles with no bracketed numbers are assumed to use "Standard Instrumentation." The following is considered to be Standard Instrumentation:

String Duo - Viola & Viola - [1100]

String Trio - Violin, Viola, Cello - [1110]

String Quartet - 2 Violins, Viola, Cello - [2110]

String Quintet - 2 Violins, Viola, Cello, Bass - [2111]

Orchestra & Band Instrumentation Codes

Following some titles in our Orchestra & Band catalogs, you will see a numeric code enclosed in square brackets, as in these examples:

The bracketed numbers tell you the precise instrumentation of the ensemble. The system used above is standard in the orchestra music field. The first set of numbers (before the dash) represent the Woodwinds. The set of numbers after the dash represent the Brass. Percussion is abbreviated following the brass. Strings are represented with a series of five digits representing the quantity of each part (first violin, second violin, viola, cello, bass). Other Required and Solo parts follow the strings:

Woodwinds—Brass, Percussion, Strings, Other

Principal auxilary instruments (piccolo, english horn, bass clarinet, contrabassoon, wagner tuba, cornet & euphonium) are linked to their respective instruments with either a "d" if the same player doubles the auxiliary instrument, or a "+" if an extra player is required. Instruments shown in parenthesis are optional and may be omitted.

Example 1 - Beethoven:

[2,2,2,2-2,2,0,0, tymp, 44322]

The Beethoven example is typical of much Classical and early Romantic fare. In this case, the winds are all doubled (2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets and 2 bassoons), and there are two each horns and trumpets. There is no low brass. There is tympani. Strings are a standard 44322 configuration (4 first violin, 4 second violin, 3 viola, 2 cello, 2 bass). Sometimes strings are simply listed as "str," which means 44322 strings.

Example 2 - Jones: (concert band/wind ensemble example)

[2+1,1,3+ac+bc,2,SAATB-2+2,4,3+1,1, tymp, percussion, double bass]

The second example is common for a concert band or wind ensemble piece. This ficticious work is for 2 flutes (plus piccolo), 1 oboe, 3 clarinets plus alto and bass clarinets, 2 bassoons, 5 saxes (soprano, 2 altos, tenor & bari), 2 trumpets (plus 2 cornets), 3 trombones, euphonium, tuba, tympani, percussion and double bass. Note the inclusion of the saxes after bassoon for this band work. Note also that the separate euphonium part is attached to trombone with a plus sign. For orchestral music, saxes are at the end (see Saxophones below. It is highly typical of band sets to have multiple copies of parts, especially flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet, trombone & percussion. Multiples, if any, are not shown in this system. The numbers represent only distinct parts, not the number of copies of a part.

Note: This system lists Horn before Trumpet. This is standard orchestral nomenclature. Unless otherwise noted, we will use this system for both orchestra and band works (in most band scores, Trumpet precedes Horn, and sometimes Oboe & Bassoon follow Clarinet). Also, it should be noted that Euphonium can be doubled by either Trombone or Tuba. Typically, orchestra scores have the tuba linked to euphonium, but it does happen where Trombone is the principal instead.

Saxophones, when included in orchestral music (they rarely are) will be shown in the "other instrument" location after strings and before the soloist, if any. However for band music, they are commonly present and therefore will be indicated after bassoon as something similar to "SAATB" where S=soprano, A=alto, T=tenor and B=baritone. Letters that are duplicated (as in A in this example) indicate multiple parts.

And finally, here is one more way to visualize the above code sequence: